Joe Swail has put last year's losing finalist Ken Doherty out of the world championship in the first round at the Crucible Theatre.
With an overnight lead of 5-4, Swail went on to complete a 10-5 victory over the 1997 champion. Swail, who now retains his place in the world's top 32, feels he is on the top of his game.
"I think that's the best I've ever played," he added. "Ken wished me good luck and said, 'You're playing well enough to go all the way'."
The dejected Doherty said "I'm very, very disappointed after going so far last year - it's either a feast or a famine and it's quite soul-destroying," he said.
World number nine Matthew Stevens came back from 7-5 down to beat Thailand's James Wattana 10-7. Wattana was left to rue missing a good chance to take an 8-5 lead.
"I just lost my concentration and once you do that, it's hard to get it back," he said.
Stevens was relieved to chalk up a victory after a disappointing season.
"It's just nice to win a match here," he said. "I'd be lying if I said my confidence hasn't been down after losing so many matches."
Stevens, who now faces a second round clash with Paul Hunter or John Parrott, added: "I'll have to play a lot better if I'm to go any further."
Earlier on Sunday, Australia's Quinten Hann became the first seed to go out of the tournament when he was beaten 10-4 by Andy Hicks in a stormy first round match.
Leading 6-3 overnight, Hicks won four of the first five frames in the final session to seal victory and then exchanged angry words with his opponent.
Referee Lawrie Annandale had to step between the pair to prevent them coming to blows.
Crucible debutant Ryan Day has a 5-4 lead over 1998 champion John Higgins, while Joe Perry is 6-3 up against Robert Milkins.